Christian world

Hundreds of Christian fighters from across Syria joined their local brethren in the majority-Syriac Christian town of Sadad to prevent it falling into the hands of Daesh terrorists.

A symbol of Christian resistance, Sadad, which lies just 17 kilometers off a strategic highway connecting the capital Damascus and Homs in the west of the country, has faced an onslaught from Daesh and other jihadist militants since late October 2015 as the terrorists advanced across central Syria.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry of the Russian Federation condemns the destruction of a monastery in Iraq by the militants of the “Islamic State” terrorist organization whose activity is prohibited in Russia, reports Interfax-Religion.

A Protestant Christian church was burned by suspected Islamic radicals in the village of Bath in Pakistani Punjab, leaving Christians in the community fearful and asking for protection.

Fides News Agency reported that the Protestant Christian congregation called "Apostolic Church" was set on fire last week following a dispute between Christians and Muslims in the village. The attack occurred the day after a prayer vigil for Epiphany on Jan. 6, when an arson destroyed the church building.

On Wednesday, following the Christmas Liturgy at St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral, His Holiness Aram I received His Excellency Tamam Salam at the Main Hall of the Catholicosate. His Holiness and the Prime Minister held a private meeting to discuss political developments in the Middle East, their impact on Lebanon and the pending sensitive issue of the presidential election.